Since the Napa earthquake a lot of media attention has been paid to the fact that most homeowners do not have earthquake insurance. It is no wonder since the premiums and deductible are completely unaffordable for most people and makes no financial sense for even those who can afford it.

With this in mind I would like to suggest that the government look into offering people all over the country the option of setting up “disaster” accounts modeled on IRAs or 401(k)s. A set amount could be deposited each month with perhaps a tax break of some kind as an incentive. This could help homeowners all over the country regardless of the kind of threat in their area, i.e., tornado, hurricane, flood or earthquake, giving them peace of mind.

Carol Phy

Los Altos Hills

Pedestrian bridge over Hwy. 101 a great idea

San Mateo’s proposal to build a pedestrian bridge over Highway 101 would alleviate vehicle traffic congestion in the Hillsdale arterial and simultaneously give the residents of Foster City and San Mateo a safe pedestrian and bicycling option, separating children and the elderly from mayhem.

I applaud the San Mateo City Council for creating this proposal to help make our streets safe for all modes of travel.

David Groves

San Mateo

Give Liccardo credit for a realistic approach

It is a refreshing change of pace to open a newspaper and read about any California politician contemplating wiser spending of current revenues instead of merely increasing deficit spending yet again. (“Smarter spending can improve public safety,” Opinion, Aug. 21). San Jose City Councilman Sam Liccardo seems to understand that the San Jose budget deficit is not a matter of liberal vs. conservative or even public sector employees vs. private sector employees. It’s a matter of math.

Pension costs currently consume more than 25 percent of the city budget, and that percentage will only increase as both the number of retirees and their life expectancies continue to rise. Toss in exploding medical costs and the phrase “pension apocalypse” is no longer just theoretical. Unless current retirees are willing to fall on their swords, both figuratively and literally, someone is going to have to figure out how the city of San Jose can do more with less. Liccardo must be applauded for at least attempting to improve the situation.

Ronda Ross

San Jose

Luxury box is not an appropriate investment

Over 50 years in the insurance business tell me a luxury box (Page 3B, Aug. 24) is not an appropriate investment for a nonprofit. My Medicare supplement is Blue Shield. And, I know the price is slightly higher than United Healthcare (for-profit) and Kaiser (nonprofit). The executives should rethink their choice, as Walgreens did with its ﻿attempt at a tax inversion to escape federal income taxes. I will rethink my Medicare supplement when the opportunity to do so comes around.

James Hall

Monte Sereno

All transport systems are supported by taxes

Michael Lechner (Letters, Aug. 22) doesn’t like the idea of taxes funding high-speed rail. I have to ask: How does he feel about taxes supporting mass transit in the Bay Area? Every form of transportation is supported by taxes.

Does he support the massive tax support on airline travel? The cost of that is passed onto the taxpayer in a multitude of forms counting the funding of the FAA, airport security, and even tax exempt bonds to pay for the airport construction.

I guess he would be fine with a tripling of his car and gas taxes to cover the costs of trucks and auto infrastructure. Taxes paid at the pump and to DMV only cover 35 percent of the cost of roads. That doesn’t even include the cost of the enforcement system and the police and medical personnel who have to be employed.

I have no trouble making high-speed rail stand on its own, but only if all other transportation systems pay their own way.

Ralph Durham

Sunnyvale

Proper carbon tax replete with benefits

Jan Pepper’s oped (Opinion, Aug. 25) for allowing Community Choice energy programs understates an important point: that renewable energy is now cheaper than fossil fuels. Globally, 56 percent of new electrical capacity were renewables in 2013, up from 51 percent in 2012. This is due to falling costs for renewables and rising costs for fossil fuels. With renewable energy generation solidly cheaper than fossil fuel in most of the world, this trend will predictably continue up to 100 percent new renewables by 2020. With a carbon tax, the replacement of fossil fuels by renewables could take just 20 years. Without a carbon tax it’ll be 50 years. REMI’s carbon tax study in June showed, surprisingly, that when all carbon tax revenue is rebated to citizens, the economy benefits with 2 million net new jobs, and 13,000 lives per year saved from reduced pollution. Support a revenue neutral carbon tax.

Peter Fiekowsky

Oil Team Leader Citizens Climate Lobby Los Altos

Foster-child advocate finds work rewarding

Thank you for your editorial on the problems that our foster children face (drugging, homelessness, stress disorders, etc.). If you’d like to help these kids, I recommend getting involved as a CASA (court appointed special advocate). CASA volunteers watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children. We make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened social service system or just waste their young lives in foster/group homes. I am a CASA for a 16-year old African-American boy. I’m an older Caucasian woman, so you wouldn’t think we’d have much in common but we’ve become good buddies. He’s a kind, intelligent, respectful kid, and I enjoy being his friend and CASA. We’re making progress with his schooling, athletic involvement and social skills. It’s a commitment but well worth the time and effort. Reaching out and advocating for a foster child can make all the difference in a young person’s life.